Online Casino Games

Updated on September 5, 2019

When the NJ online casino first launched in November 2013, players were often hard-pressed to find their favorite game titles. That has since changed. Over the last few years, the average operator had added dozens, if not hundreds, of new titles to its library. Many of these titles mimic those found on Atlantic City casino floors.

Slots: NJ online casinos offer a rather balanced blend of old standbys and modern favorites. Top providers include IGT, NYX Gaming, High 5 and Amaya Gaming. Standard penny slots and progressives are available. Nearly all slots feature multiple bonus games.

Table games: On display are classics such as blackjack, roulette, baccarat and craps. There are also carnival games such as Let it Ride and Pai Gow Poker.

Video poker: Both single and multi-line video poker games are available. These include casino standards such as Double Double Bonus, Jacks and Better and Deuces Wild. IGT (Game King)—the same manufacturer that provides video poker games for Atlantic City casinos—provides most of the online video poker titles.

Slingo: From Slingo Extreme to the classic, the game can be enjoyed in a casino form, as an arcade-type game or on a scratch-off ticket.

What games do NJ online casinos offer?

Click on the links below for a full list of each type of game (including all variants) for each legal online gambling site in New Jersey:

Transition from free casino play to real money play

The significant difference between playing at an online casino compared to a brick-and-mortar casino is the extent of your opportunity to play for free.

Visitors coming to Atlantic City by bus may receive a voucher for a limited amount of free slot play for the day. Also, so do those signing up for a new player’s card.

Frequent players may also receive offers for free play or match play from time to time. However, no land-based casino will allow long-term, free-play privileges to anyone, especially in the absence of real-money wagering.

No-deposit bonus offers for new players

Typically, online casinos in New Jersey will offer new players a small bonus with no deposit required, when they sign up.

Also, just like at land-based casinos, players cannot merely withdraw this money, they have to wager it. Depending on the casino and type of game, there will be terms and conditions, which include wagering requirements and how much time is available.

Once wagering is complete, assuming they do so within the allotted time frame, players will be able to withdraw any resulting winnings. Players may or may not be permitted to withdraw the bonus money, too.

Play NJ offers special bonus codes for multiple NJ online casinos.

As a new player, these promo codes are your ticket to getting a bigger bonus.

For example, at VirginCasino.com, instead of a $10 no-deposit bonus, you can get a $30 bonus with bonus code 30BUCKS. This is free money for you to wager and potentially win with, so, by all means, take advantage of it.

Play in demo mode

Most NJ online casinos also give you the option to play in demo mode.

This form of free play is different altogether. No real money changes hands at all, so you can’t win anything. But you can’t lose anything either.

Some NJ online casinos allow anyone at least 21 years or older to log in to a site and play in demo mode to their heart’s content. Others only allow access to registered players.

Either way, the demo-mode option is a great way to introduce more variety into your play and, at the same time, help you make smarter choices.

If you are new to online casino gambling, the number of casinos and the variety of games can be overwhelming.

So, rather than picking any random casino and game, playing in demo mode will help you determine which place and which games look like your best bet.

Finding new games to play also makes a lot of sense for established players.

Even favorite games can become tiresome when played day after day, so there will be times when you will want to add new games to the mix.

Either way, playing in demo mode can be a great way to try out new games without risking your bankroll if your experience is less than satisfactory.

Playing in demo mode can be especially helpful for anyone wishing to play a low-house edge game like blackjack or video poker, and need further practice.

Betting real money on these games without the knowledge of the correct basic strategy can lead to costly mistakes that can impact your ability to win.

Unfortunately, you can only play live dealer games for real money. However, NJ online casinos allow you to play other games in demo mode.

How to play NJ online casino games for real money

You can play any game you wish for real money at all New Jersey online casinos.

This form of play is, by far, the most popular because the chance to win money and hopefully, a lot of it, is mostly why people like gambling. Gambling appeals to millions of people from all backgrounds, playing preferences and walks of life because of the possibility of winning significant amounts of cash.

Signing up

However, before any online casino in New Jersey lets you make any real-money wagers, you need to be a registered player.

You do so by filling out the casino’s registration form and sharing the requested information.

You will need to provide:

Your legal name

Date of birth

Mailing address

Telephone number

Email address

Social Security number, which the casino will use to verify your identity.

Also, you must be at least 21 years of age. Furthermore, you don’t have to live in New Jersey, but you do need to be physically in the state when you play for real money.

Welcome offers and bonuses

Once you complete the registration process and the casino approves you, the next step is to look over the casino’s welcome offers and choose the offer(s) you want.

One option will be a no-deposit bonus. In addition to that, you’ll be tempted to make a deposit, as that will entitle you to a bigger reward. In fact, NJ online casinos typically make their most generous bonus offers to first-time depositors.

Most online casinos in New Jersey will not only match your first deposit, dollar for dollar, but will do so up to a sizable amount.

Betfair Online Casino currently offers the most substantial welcome bonus of all to first-time depositors: A 100% deposit match up of up to $2,500.

However, multiple other NJ gambling websites also welcome players with available funds to make large initial deposits. For example, playMGM, Resorts, Mohegan Sun and Hard Rock online casinos will 100% match a new player’s first deposit, up to $1,000.

The downside of such huge bonuses is before the bonus expires, the player needs to be able to complete the wagering requirements to clear the bonus.

Most players will find a huge bonus and the terms and conditions for clearing it out of reach. They have to accept the reality of making a smaller deposit and a smaller match bonus.

The players who stand to benefit most from large bonus offers are those with deep pockets that can afford the deposit and the substantial playthrough requirements, too.

Comparing different sites

An important factor, which applies to all real-money online casino players, is that game selection, banking policies, bonus offers and rewards program vary considerably.

So, when making the transition from free play to betting with real money, take the time to compare what the various casinos have to offer. Don’t just play anywhere, but try to find a casino that’s a good fit for you.

Signing up with a casino and accepting their free-play offer does not mean you’re obligated to continue playing there for real money. You can later decide that playing elsewhere might be a better choice.

Even if you’re a low-stakes player and can’t afford the maximum bonus upon sign-up, you still can benefit from being a real-money player.

Besides the opportunity to win real money over and over again, you become an immediate member of the casino’s loyalty rewards program.

With these programs, you can earn loyalty points, get more bonuses based on play, participate in special casino promotions and possibly qualify for comps and cash back.

New Jersey casino apps

In recent years, another popular alternative to playing in land-based casinos is mobile play.

Much like playing online on your desktop or laptop computer, casino apps offer the convenience of accessing your favorite real-money games anytime you want to play.

Mobile apps eliminate the need to spend time and money traveling to and from the casino. Furthermore, because you probably carry your smartphone with you wherever you go anyway, your favorite games are always at your fingertips.

Most New Jersey online casinos have mobile apps for both Apple and Android.

If you own a mobile device of either type, you can download the appropriate casino app and use it to play anywhere in New Jersey.

How Apple users can download casino apps for iOS devices

Casino apps for iOS devices should work on any current model of the iPhone or iPad. In most instances, that would be version 8.0 or higher, at least as of this writing. However, you will need version 9.0 or higher for PlaySugarHouse or partypoker casinos.

If you are not sure what model you have or think it might be obsolete, check your device’s settings.

Assuming your device is equal to the task, here are the steps you need to follow to download the app:

Visit the Apple App Store, locate and click on the app for the casino where you will be playing.

Read the specifications and make sure they match your device.

Click on “Get it.”

If you’re a first-time player at a casino and don’t yet have an account, it is no problem.

You can use your mobile device to create an account. In fact, you can make a deposit and receive the same welcome offer you would otherwise get online.

The casino will instruct you how to proceed.

Be sure to follow these instructions precisely, and double-check that you have entered all of the required information and bonus code, if applicable, accurately. If you have any questions or run into any problems, don’t hesitate to contact customer support.

Of course, if you have already registered online, you’re already good to go.

You keep the same account for your mobile play and can use the existing balance (or, if needed, deposit more) to start playing for real money immediately.

How Android users can download casino apps

One advantage that Android mobile apps have over iOS apps is that they use up less memory. However, as of this writing, your device needs to version 5.1 or higher for the app to work correctly.

Don’t waste time going to the Google Play store to locate the app since the store does not allow real-money gambling apps.

Here is what you need to do to download the app to your device instead:

Find the “Settings” on your device.

Click on “More,” then on “Security,” and after that, on “Unknown Sources.”*

Return to the home screen. Click on the mobile casino app you wish to download.

Once you have made your selection, you should be redirected to the Android download page. But if a download warning screen pops up, select “OK.”

Follow the instructions on the screen during the downloading process.

*If the casino app already includes allowing unknown sources for the app to be installed, you can save time. Skip the preliminary steps and go directly to the home screen to start the downloading process.

If you run into any difficulties, customer support is always available to help you.

As soon as the installation is complete, and if you have registered with the casino already, you can start playing on your Android smartphone or tablet immediately.

Otherwise, setting up an account with the mobile app is as easy as doing it online. Follow the instructions given to enter your individual information and bonus code, if applicable.

Then, as soon as the casino approves your account, go ahead and make your first deposit and claim your bonus.

Online casino games with the best odds

If you are new to online casino gambling, you might feel overwhelmed by the significant number of games available to you at some casinos.

On the one hand, you’ll be relieved to know that losing due to cheating is impossible. No matter which games you select, rest assured that in every instance, you have a fair chance to win and if you win, you will be paid.

The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (NJDGE), whose responsibility it is to license and approve all NJ online and mobile casinos, sees to that.

On the other hand, some games offer better odds than others. Especially, if you are betting real money, it makes sense to spend your gambling dollars on those games where your likelihood of winning is greatest.

House edge and return to player

Every casino game, either online or offline, has a certain house edge already built into it.

This is defined statistically as the percentage of all of the money bet on the game by all players combined, which the casino can expect to keep as profit over time.

Ideally, you should play games with the lowest house edge possible. Doing so won’t guarantee that you will win. In fact, your outcome for any individual session could be a substantial loss, even playing the best games. But throughout many playing sessions, you can expect to fare better than if the games you select have a relatively high house edge.

The opposite of a game’s house edge is the return to player (RTP).

The RTP is the percentage of all the money bet on the game by all players combined, which players are expected to win.

So, you want these percentages to be as high as possible. Again, your actual results after any given playing session won’t necessarily reflect these percentages. In fact, they could vary considerably in either direction.

But, in the long run, choosing games with a higher than average RTP should produce better results than hoping to get lucky on games with an average or below-average RTP.

At Golden Nugget online casino, you can check the RTP for any game instantly by clicking on the “i” tab for that game.

It would be great if all NJ online casinos did likewise, instead of searching for this information. But it is not secret information. It will help you make smarter game choices, so even if you have to do a little digging to find it, the effort is worth it.

Table games with the best odds

Table games have a reputation for offering better odds than slots, but that is not always true.

In the section below, “Online casino games with the worst odds,” we will tell you about a few table games where the house edge is surprisingly high.

The one table game that knowledgeable players gravitate toward more than any other is blackjack, and with good reason. As a rule, when you play blackjack correctly, it offers the best odds in the house.

Even so, a lot depends on the rules. Many variations of blackjack exist, not only at numerous casinos but often within the same casino, you will find various blackjack tables with various rules.

The following rules are favorable to the player. You will never find a game that has all of these rules because then the game wouldn’t have any house edge at all.

However, you can find blackjack games at NJ online casinos that offer enough of these rules to bring the house edge down to a mere 0.50% or less. Those are the blackjack games you should play.

Blackjack rules that favor the player

Single deck (or if multiple deck, the fewer decks, the better).

Blackjack pays 3:2 (not 6:5 or even money).

Doubling down is allowed on any two cards.

Doubling down is also allowed after splitting pairs.

Splitting pairs is allowed on any two same-value cards.

Re-splitting of pairs (other than aces) is allowed.

Dealer stands on soft 17 (i.e., A6, rather than hitting soft 17).

Surrender option.

Also, keep in mind that the posted house edge for a particular blackjack game presumes that you know and can use the correct basic strategy.

Otherwise, do yourself a favor and take the time to learn it. Practice extensively in demo mode before playing for real money.

Blackjack is a game of skill as well as luck, and consistently making the wrong plays can be costly.

Other casino games with good odds

Besides blackjack, baccarat offers better odds than most of the other table games.

But stick to the basic bank or player bets only, which have a house edge of 1.06% and 1.24%, respectively.

Video poker is another good choice but, as with blackjack, casinos offer many variations of this game, some that are better than others.

The video poker game you can play online that has the highest RTP is Deuces Wild, by Game King. This game has a 99.73% RTP, which beats out even the best NJ online casino blackjack games.

However, Tropicana and Virgin are the only NJ online casinos that offer Deuces Wild.

Alternatively, Jacks or Better, by Game King, which is widely available online, is also highly recommended. That game has a 99.54% RTP.

Slots with the best odds

If you wish to play slots, you can improve your odds of winning by only playing those slots with a published 96% RTP or better.

Many NJ online slots meet these criteria, including all of the NetEnt slots.

Online casino games with the worst odds

If you are playing online casino games, not just to have fun, and want to have the best chance of winning, avoid games where the house edge is more than 5%.

One such game is American roulette.

Because this game offers a single zero and a double zero version, the house edge goes up from 1.35% for French roulette or 2.7% for European roulette to 5.26%.

You are better off playing European or French roulette, because both only have a single zero on the wheel. Unfortunately, all live dealer roulette games use the American roulette format.

Two other table games with mediocre odds are Let It Ride with a 95.71% RTP and three-card poker with a 95.3% RTP.

However, some slot games have a 94% RTP or lower. We advise you to steer clear of those games since all NJ online casinos offer much better returning slots you can play instead.

Of course, it is typical for a progressive jackpot slot not to pay out small amounts as frequently as some other slots, which would account for the lower RTP on those games.

But if you are hoping to win a large progressive jackpot, your best bet is to avoid slots with below-average RTPs entirely. Or if you must play them, do so in demo-mode only, not for real money.

Optional side bets

Lastly, many table games offer optional side bets.

They might sound like fun to make occasionally, but keep in mind that the house edge for these bets tends to be much higher than for the game’s basic bets.

In blackjack, two examples are perfect pairs and 21 + 3. Depending on which source you look at, the house edge varies but, in any case, it is otherwise way above the house edge for blackjack.

Similarly, if you are playing baccarat, avoid the tie bet where the house edge (reported by the Wizard of Odds) is a whopping 14.36%.

The bottom line is that your game choice matters.

Play the online casino games with the best odds and avoid the ones with the worst odds to maximize your chances of winning.

NJ online casino FAQ

How do I know the games are fair?

The NJ online casino market is a legal and regulated industry. The NJ Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) provides regulatory oversight. This is the same committee responsible for regulating Atlantic City’s casino industry, an industry that has been an existence for nearly 40 years.

As such, all online casino games are subject to the same rigorous vetting process as games spread on Atlantic City casino floors.

It is important to recognize, that even in a regulated environment, all games favor the house. But one of the key differentials separating NJ regulated sites from illegal offshore operators is that there’s nothing preventing the latter from unfairly stacking the deck, or rigging slot machines to prevent big payouts.

By contrast, NJ online casinos provide full disclosure regarding the rules and odds. They often go so far as to list the return to player (RTP) in a game’s info tab. And given the strict regulatory framework in place, players can be assured that what they see is what they get.

Do NJ online casinos have the same games that I play in Atlantic City?

Yes, there is a good deal of overlap.

Atlantic City casinos hold all Internet Gaming Permits (IGP) issued by the DGE. Most online sites possess the same branding as their associated brick-and-mortar venue. Given this, it makes sense that IGP holders would want to spread the same games online that they use to attract patrons to their casino floors.

They’re able to make this happen via online partnerships with many of the same trusted game manufacturers that provide games for land-based casinos throughout the world. IGT and ShuffleMaster are just a couple that come to mind.

And because the overwhelming majority of modern slot machines found at physical casinos are all digital, manufacturers are able to provide online sites with slots that are functionally equivalent to ones found live. The only real differences are that online slots generally possess more settings options, and aren’t housed in a physical cabinet.

Examples:

Popular slots that have made the transition from live to online include:

Double Diamonds

Quick Hit Platinum

Double Da Vinci Diamonds

Wheel of Fortune: Triple Extreme Spin

Monopoly

Video poker games found online are also largely similar to their land-based counterparts. This is due primarily to the high prevalence of Game King machines online.

Table games are the one area where players will notice a variety of differences. The most obvious departure is that table games at live casinos use live dealers and physical playing devices such as cards, dice, and chips. By contrast, most online table games are completely digital.

As different as the table game atmosphere is online, the games and game rules are generally quite similar. Blackjack, roulette, baccarat and craps are just a few of the table games spread at both Atlantic City casinos and online.

Why would I want to play online instead of at a casino?

There are myriad reasons why a gambler might prefer an online casino over a brick-and-mortar establishment. The one that sticks out the most is the level of convenience playing online affords.

NJ online casinos are open for business 24/7. You can access them from anywhere in the state of New Jersey via either an Internet-enabled computer or mobile device.

Pending you’ve already registered a real-money account on an online site, the turnaround time from wanting to gamble to actually gambling can be less than a minute.

By contrast, the main population centers in New Jersey are located at least a two-hour drive from Atlantic City. And that doesn’t account for time spent trying to park, navigating the casino floor in search of your favorite games, and loading a machine with money.

Additional reasons to participate in online gambling

Cashiering options: Land-based casino players either have to buy-in with cash or go through the laborious process of setting up a credit line. Online casinos accept a wide variety of payment methods. These include credit/debit cards, eChecks, online banking transfers, and payments from third-party processors such as PayPal, Neteller, and Skrill.

Better bonuses: Players making their first real-money deposit at an online site are typically eligible for a sizable welcome package. The best of these offers boost their starting bankrolls by up to, if not over, $1,000. Loyalty card registration bonuses at brick and mortar venues are generally much smaller.

Free play: While both online and live casinos reward loyal players with free play, live players typically have to wait until the following month’s mailer comes in to take advantage. By contrast, NJ online casino sites are known to award free play on the spot.

Round-the-clock support: Generally speaking, online casino support teams are available 24/7 via live chat and phone, and are well equipped to handle most questions.

More responsible gaming options: Online gamblers have a bevy of responsible gaming features at their disposal. These include the ability to limit their deposits, time played per session, and amount lost per session. They can also time themselves out, or self-exclude for a designated period. Land-based casinos offer fewer options, and setting up restrictions at a physical casino is a lengthier process.

Relaxed environment: Online, players can play at their own pace. They are free to look up correct strategy plays while involved in a bet. There is also a measure of privacy afforded to the online gambler that isn’t found live.

Do I earn rewards point for playing games at an online casino?

Yes. All NJ online casinos offer some sort of loyalty scheme that at a minimum enables players to earn rewards points. Generally speaking, these points can be converted to cash for use on the site or immediate withdrawal.

Some operators go a step further, by allowing patrons to tie rewards points earned online to their land-based casino loyalty cards. For instance, players that frequent Caesars‘ affiliated online sites in New Jersey can earn Total Rewards points, just as they would at Harrah’s, Caesars or Bally’s in Atlantic City. And just like points earned live, online Total Rewards credits can be used for land-based comps.

For those who aren’t familiar with how the bulk of NJ-based online casino loyalty programs function, here is a brief overview:

Upon completing the registration process, players are assigned a base loyalty tier.

By placing real-money wagers they will earn rewards points, at a rate specified by the casino. More often than not, slot play allows players to accrue points at a swifter pace.

After generating a predetermined number of rewards points, players will move up a loyalty tier. Most loyalty schemes have at least four monthly tiers.

Players retain the loyalty tier they earned for the remainder of the month and the next calendar month.

Along the way, they can exchange rewards points earned for cash.

The benefits of achieving a higher loyalty status are varied and include higher reward point multipliers, better bonus offers, VIP host access, and free rooms and entertainment deals at Atlantic City casinos

What are the smallest bets I can make playing online?

Perhaps one of the most attractive features of NJ online casino sites are the wide range of stakes available.

Slot players can gamble online for as little as $0.25 per spin, much as they can at land-based casinos in Atlantic City. Small stakes table game players have it even better, as they can wager on popular titles such as blackjack for a minimum of $0.10 per hand. The same players will be lucky to find $5 minimums at live venues.

But it’s perhaps video poker players that get the best of it, as not only can they play for a minimum of $0.10 per try, they’ll still win maximum payouts on a Royal Flush. By contrast, live players aren’t eligible for 800x payouts unless they wager five coins per hands.

Furthermore, live low stakes video poker play tends to be paired with poor payout schedules, but that’s not the case online, where the $0.10 player is offered the same return as the $50 high roller.